Groundbreaking for affordable housing complex in Lexington

FRANKFORT, Ky. (June 9, 2014) – Governor Steve Beshear on Monday joined local officials to break ground for affordable homes in the former Southend Park of Davis Bottom, an area affected by a major transportation project in downtown Lexington.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) is mitigating the displacement of low-income families as a result of the Newtown Pike Extension project.

The project, which when complete will provide a connection between Interstate 75 and the University of Kentucky, has been identified as a transportation need since the 1950s. One leg of that connection became a reality in 2008 with the completion of Oliver Lewis Way between Main Street and Versailles Road.

“Providing better transportation access in Lexington is important for this community and our entire Commonwealth,” Gov. Beshear said. “But at the same time, it’s also important that we carefully plan our transportation projects to minimize their sometimes adverse effect on local residents.”

In a cooperative effort by KYTC, the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government (LFUCG), Federal Highway Administration and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), federal and state transportation funds were used to acquire 25 acres of the former Southend Park neighborhood. A developer, AU Associates, is constructing and will manage 14 rental units on the site…